2022-12-06 07:28:37
History isn’t just words in a book when you are in Fairfax County. In a region full of historical sites, homes, battlefields and significant ties to colonial America, the Revolutionary War, the Underground Railroad and the Civil War, every history buff will be amazed to stand on the ground where history was made. Discover the inner workings of our Founding Father and first president at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. An often mythic and romanticized figure of American history, Washington’s life is displayed through artifacts and exhibits, guided tours, historical interpretation, recounts of slavery and more. Mount Vernon utilizes demonstrations of traditional trades such as farming, distilling and smithing, as well as modern technology, such as the 4D theatre with cutting-edge animations and falling snow to immerse you in Washington’s life. Nearby, visit the home of George Mason, the Founding Father responsible for drafting the Virginia Bill of Rights, on which the U.S. Bill of Rights was based. His 18th century estate, Gunston Hall, offers a look at Georgian-style architecture, scenic hiking trails and an immersive exhibit on Revolutionary Rights. Military history aficionados can revel in 247-plus years of Army history at the expansive new National Museum of the United States Army, which tells the complete story of the oldest and largest military branch through the eyes of the American soldier. Nearby, Manassas National Battlefield Park is the site of two major Civil War battles. Visit both interpretive visitor centers for galleries, maps and exhibitions on these historic battles. For a unique look at Civil War history, visit the Civil War Interpretive Center at Historic Blenheim in the City of Fairfax to see actual Civil War graffiti scrawled on the walls of this 1800s farmhouse. Stories are still being made here every day. Explore modern history with a trip to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center in Chantilly, where you can see the Space Shuttle Discovery and hundreds of other historic aircraft. Its close proximity to Washington, DC also makes Fairfax County the perfect place to explore our nation’s capital. Visit its expansive museums, national monuments and seats of government that can only be experienced here. In short, Fairfax County is your place to be in the room where history happened – whether walking in the steps of our Founding Fathers, reflecting on the experience of enslaved people or witnessing modern innovation. Explore More of the Story Diverse groups make up America’s history, and you can see this reflected around Fairfax County at sites exploring Black history, women’s history and more. Visit one of America’s oldest African American communities at Gum Springs, see how Sully Historic Site is connected to the Underground Railroad or visit the last remaining African American schoolhouse in Northern Virginia at Laurel Grove School. Step over to Washington, DC for Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and other museums like Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. The Lucy Burns Museum in Lorton includes the story of the “Silent Sentinels,” suffragists who were imprisoned here for demanding a woman’s right to vote in a fight for equality. Nearby, learn the stories of women suffragists from all walks at the new Turning Point Suffragist Memorial. A Monumental Day Fairfax County is a convenient home base to explore our nation’s capital. While here, take a trip to these top spots. WASHINGTON MONUMENT: This 555-foot marble obelisk towers over Washington, DC. LINCOLN MEMORIAL: An inscription of the Gettysburg Address surrounds Abraham Lincoln as he sits in honor. JEFFERSON MEMORIAL: The architecture and location of this memorial on the Tidal Basin make it stand out as a DC gem. U.S. CAPITOL: One of the most recognizable symbols of democracy in the world, offering tours and more.
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